FORT MYERS, Fla. – FGCU's
Javier Gorostola stepped up to the plate in the bottom of the ninth in a 4-4 game facing all the pressure in the world. He was 0-for-4 at the time and his 43-game hitting streak was on the verge of ending. He got down in the count 0-2 to start. There were two outs with the winning run just 90-feet away. Then Gorostola did what he's done so often this season.
Gorostola, a redshirt sophomore, effortlessly shrugged off that pressure and delivered a sharp ground ball down the right field line and past a diving first baseman, scoring
Wilfred Gonzalez from third and registering FGCU's eighth come-from-behind win of the season as the Eagles (18-8, 4-3 ASUN) claimed a 5-4 decision over Stetson (12-15, 3-4) in the series opener in front of 667 fans at Swanson Stadium.
Before Gonzalez could reach, however, the Eagles were trailing 4-3. Teammate Brandyn Gonzlaez, pinch-hitting with one out in the ninth, singled through the left side before being replaced by the speedy Drew Seidel. Seidel then raced to third on a ground ball single through the right side by
Wilfred Gonzalez, who took advantage of the gaping hole on the right side of the field as Stetson shifted its defense well towards the left, with the Hatters' second baseman standing behind the second base bag.
Jon Embury, who finished the game 2-for-4 with two runs scored, delivered his second RBI of the contest to tie the game at 4-4. That brought Gorostola to the plate.
"Relief. In that moment, I was running down the line... all the emotions just run through your mind in that moment, that second of me stepping on the bag," Gorostola said following the game and ensuring celebration.
The Green & Blue's resilience was evident, as Gorostola attributed their success to preparation, saying, "I just think it's our preparation that allows us to be ready for that moment and to be calm."
He put it more succinctly moments later.
"It's just the cardiac Eagles."
Florida Gulf Coast's lineup from spots one through seven – a group that includes
Wilfred Gonzalez, Embury and Gorostola – delivered 10 of the team's 11 hits, creating a challenging gauntlet for opposing pitchers. The pitching duo of
Evan Dempsey and Hyatt Richardson (4-1) contributed significantly with a combined 15 strikeouts, easing defensive pressures.
Richardson delivered a strong performance on the mound for the Green & Blue, pitching three innings in relief without allowing a run. He struck out five batters while giving up three hits and issuing one walk.
Dempsey recorded 10 strikeouts over six innings, only issuing one walk.
Jon Embury contributed two hits, including a home run, and drove in two runs while scoring twice.
Cayden Hessemyer made a sparkling return to the lineup by collecting three hits and adding an RBI. Hyatt Richardson pitched three scoreless innings in relief, striking out five and securing the win.
Landon Russell paced Stetson with three hits in four plate appearances, contributing one run. Jack Harley made a significant impact with a home run and four RBIs, accounting for two hits from five plate appearances.
In the fourth inning, the Eagles broke the scoreless tie. Embury doubled down the left field line and advanced to third on a flyout. Dempsey then drove in Embury with a double of his own. Hessemyer followed with an RBI single, bringing the score to 2-0 in favor of the Green & Blue after four innings.
The Hatters responded in the top of the fifth with a four-run inning, highlighted by Harley's grand slam to deep center field. Back-to-back singles, followed by back-to-back strikeouts with a passed ball in the middle, gave Stetson runners at second and third with two outs. FGCU played the odds and intentionally walked leadoff hitter De La Cruz, but Harley hit his first home run of the season to wipe the bases and give Stetson the 4-2 lead.
In the eighth inning, Florida Gulf Coast narrowed the gap when Embury hit a solo home run to center field, marking his tenth of the season. Stetson's lead was reduced to 4-3 after eight innings and set the stage for Gorostola's ninth-inning heroics.
The two teams return to action on Saturday for the second game in the three-game ASUN series. First pitch is now set for 2 p.m. in an attempt to avoid possible inclement weather.
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Game Notes:
- Javier Gorostola recorded his third game-winning RBI in the contest. He previously had game-winning RBIs this season against North Dakota State (Feb. 13) and against Queens (Mar. 14).
- This game was the Eagles' seventh walk-off win of the year.
- It also marks the Eagles' eighth come-from-behind win this season.
- Eagles pitchers have registered 10-or-more strikeouts in 20 of FGCU's 26 games this season.
- Florida Gulf Coast now leads the all-time series over the Hatters, 37-30, and has a 17-12 advantage at home when facing them.
- Keaton Kangas achieved a season-high total of 3 putouts.
- Hyatt Richardson recorded a season-high total of 5 strikeouts.
- Evan Dempsey notched at least 2 hits in 2 consecutive games.
- Drew Seidel achieved his first run scored of the season.
